Bits & Pieces

NEWS OF NOTE FROM OUR NEIGHBORS

Courier Sentinel

At their December 22 meeting, the Cornell City Council adopted a new Animal Ordinance, which has a liability section for the landowner. The ordinance has two parts: nuisance animals, which are deemed as those who bark or wander, but are not a safety hazard and potential danger animals, who lunge at, growl at or bite people. In either case, after one warning, the landowner can also be cited for allowing a nuisance animal to be on their property. * With so many storms, the Public Works Committee has asked the Cornell Public Works Department to be more aggressive on salting and cleaning city roads. +++ Jeff Sell has always had a passion for auto repair. He recently opened a repair shop of his own, Jeff’s Auto Service in Cadott. He is located at 433 E. Chippewa Street, where he rents space in Cadott Auto Sales. His open hours are 8 am to 5 pm.

The Thorp Courier

The main focus of The Thorp Courier last week was a review of 2022 news – January through April. Among the highlights during this time period was the opening of the Thorp Kwik Trip on Thursday, February 3 and a ribbon cutting that took place on Thursday, February 19. * Students of the Thorp Public Schools did several fundraisers and as a result donated $1,527.38 to the Stanley Tornado Relief Fund. * Thorp High School Ag teacher, Glen Schranfnagel was successful in winning a $15,000 Bayer Fund Grant that will be used to add an aquaponics system and extending the school’s greenhouse. * Becky Strzok is carrying on a family bakery tradition, as the new owner of Sweet Memories Bakery in Thorp. * Niki Karlen opened a new business in downtown Thorp, known as Healthy Healing Horizons. Karlen has a nursing background and will help further care and create wellness outside of a traditional medical facility. +++ Thorp Whiz Kids have been organized to teach fundamental basketball skills. Close to 60 kids showed up for the first dribbling clinic for kids in 1st through 4th grades. Both the boys and girls basketball teams are working with the future Cardinal players. +++ From Memory Lane 125 Years Ago (1898) The new long distance telephone is in working order between Boyd and Withee, and the line is being completed between Boyd and Chippewa Falls this week.

Bloomer Advance

Max’s On The Lake owner Rich Kracum and volunteers spent most of the day Saturday, December 31, building an ice bar, matching love seats and an end table. The blocks were cut from Long Lake. The ice bar will be a featured attraction at Max’s Second Annual Ice Fishing Contest and Winter Party on Saturday, January 21. In addition to the ice bar and fishing contest, there will be a heated tent with a live band and raffles that will benefit local non-profit organizations. +++ The new year in Bloomer brings Abe Skaw, DC to Midwest Physical Therapy.

Jim Price, owner of Midwest Physical Therapy said, “We wanted to broaden our scope of services to patients in our market. With both physical therapy and chiropractic care, we have a more comprehensive menu of services for those needing spine and joint care than almost any clinic in the area.” Dr. Shaw was born and raised in Bloomer. He graduated cum laude from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, in October 2022. Dr. Shaw describes his practice model as patient-centered, evidence-based, and all-encompassing.

O-W Enterprise The City of Owen has only incumbents running for the alderperson seats. However, it should be interesting as there are at least two candidates running for mayor. Newcomer Scott Jalling has filed papers, as has former Mayor Tim Swiggum. Incumbent Mayor Charlie Milliren had not turned in papers as of the printing of this newspaper. +++ Forward Bank has donated $5,000 to help the Friends of the Old School to make repairs and update security following a vandalism incident. The contribution joins others that will assist in restoring a valuable and beloved landmark. +++ The Owen-Withee Chamber and the Owen Downtown Revitalization Committee are sponsoring another performance of Murder on the Yellowstone Trail: Is Capone in Town?!? Two shows will take place on Friday, February 3 and Saturday, February 4.

Tribune-Phonograph

On December 28, ATV’s and UTV’s were again a point of discussion at the Abbotsford City Council Meeting. Rules for driving them in the city were gone over, noting that rules related to alcohol use are the same as they are for operating motor vehicles and that certified operators ages 12-15 must also be accompanied by an adult while operating them. +++ Colby High School hosted 14 show choirs from Wisconsin and Minnesota, at their Show Choir Spectacular, held on Saturday, January 7.

The Sentinel & Rural News

The Owen-Withee community was shocked by the sudden death of Troy Hatlestad, at age 49. He was the well known, long time Withee Director of Public Works. Owen is determining how they might help the Withee DPW. +++ A restoration of the Perkinstown Historic Schoolhouse is an ongoing project. Anyone interested in following the project can learn more at Perkinstown Historic Schoolhouse Project on Facebook. +++ Planning is taking place for the Sixth Annual Miller Lake Dam Association Ice Fishing Contest and Jamboree. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, January 28. +++ First graders at Owen Withee Elementary School hosted a Zoo Day on Wednesday, December 21. Each student learned about an animal and made a poster board detailing their study. The students stood near their poster to present their animal research and answer questions from those touring on “Zoo Day.”